g13webb

This forum is all about opinions and I for one would always pick youth and exuberance, instead of tired and aged, So to me Porsing would always be my pick over Mads. Although Mads tries hard, his best years are gone and his bikes are always slow. Shame really...... Niels, Kenneth, Bech and Porsing has a nice ring to it, add Lambert, and team Lewis, we would have the makings of something special......... Wishful thinking.....

One would assume the FTR group 1 would contain more than 8 riders. probably 10/12 would be better. No doubt some of those riders won't want to do FTR full time but be prepared to fill in when someone is injured, probably they would prefer to ride in the 1 to 5. I think it's up to the riders and clubs to sort out who wants to ride rather than them being allocated to places. At least that way the riders and clubs would be happier......

Constructive criticism is one thing, but all this negativity is way over the top..... When I started work many years ago, this wise man, who taught me so much, said to me, Son! this world is made up of two sorts of people. One, people who only see problems, and two, people who only see results. Now which group do you belong to???? How very true he was.............

After hearing the outcome from the latest AGM, I believe we could do no better, than reinstall the team en-bloc from last year. After all it was only beaten by injuries and bad luck. I say, same again Josephine......

All in all a favourable AGM with some fine adjustments that were badly needed. Pleased to see the amendment to guests in the play-offs. They must have thought it was farcical as well. Although they have increased the team points limit to 34, I feel, because they refused to re-address their easier averages, there will be massive problems with some of the high scoring 2nd strings and some wont find a team to ride for. Especially as some PROPER heatleaders have lower averages than them. I fear for the second strings. Because of the BSPA's refusal to adjust this year, next year it will be even worse. Apart from that, well pleased with the outcome..............

Usually I get 2 to 3 hours enjoyment from the SS mag at £2.90 . Compare that to the £15 it cost to watch half hour of racing, I say the magazine is really good value.... I don't suppose they're many youngster's buying the mag, they would rather spend their money in downloads and such. If they were to read it, then no doubt their parents would have brought it any way. To aim the mag at that age group would be a detrimental development. As for the long feature on Larry Ross, it was an inspired interview and one I thoroughly enjoyed. You may have forgotten him, but us old ones remember all the great riders. Larry was not only a seasoned international but someone who gave his all, never let anyone down and appreciated everything that British Speedway did for him. What a pity they're are not more like him today.......

As a regular subscriber of the SS mag, I think this morning's publication ranks with any this years. The article on Guests and the in depth interview with Larry Ross were first class. Hope we get more of the same over the winter months. Mildenhall, Didn't realise it was that long ago, remember going there to watch Mel Taylor and the place was heaving.... although it was a scant location it had a fantastic atmosphere..... Wonderful times....

There were many reasons, First there was a bigger crowd, that made more noise, The track was far better for the second meeting, in that there was no problems on the 1st corner and not a lot of riders were falling off. In the first there was six races stopped because of fallers each has the effect of slowing the proceedings down. Plus we had some conflicting argument between the Managers about the legality of a Bees rider all putting an additional competitive edge to proceedings. Although Lynn lost the second meeting the actual night had far more excitement and atmosphere than the drab 1st one. The biggest factor was we were not standing about in the cold all night and was on our way home shortly after 9.30. Obviously disappointed we lost the match, but that didn't take away that the meeting was pretty good.

As with many times before, our opinions we will always differ . You only pick up on the parts you want to without understanding the point I was trying to make. Never once have I suggested a 'worse standard', that's your interpretation, would be better . My whole argument is to put on a decent promotion that is of an affordable price to the fans as well as to the Promoters. Now IF, and that's a big if, the promoters can afford to include top paid riders then wonderful. But that product has to be right for the fans to attend. You only have to look at the number of clubs that have closed down to realise the product has to be right. To highlight an example from last year, when Lynn Stars travelled to Coventry for their first meeting it was a sparse crowd, cold spring evening, where the meeting dragged out. there was no atmosphere and the place seemed dead. The second time we went there in Sept was very different. Far bigger crowd, lot of noise and good atmosphere. Although the riders were the same the product was far better and fans would have thoroughly enjoyed their night out. Yes I know you could also relate this to the results, but it not all down to this Everybody wants the product to be good whether you win or lose...... I hope this time you understand the point I'm trying to make......

You have this perception that we live in an ideal world and everyone thinks like you do. Why do you automatically think better riders would give a better match day experience. Unfortunately that's not the case. There are far more important things to get right that would make that 'Match day experience' better than expensive riders. as previously posted : 'Costs; VFM; Crap track; Poor racing, Rule bending, Bad organisation, Pissed of with guests; Long drawn out meetings, No atmosphere are just a few areas to improve. In your mind, top riders are everything, to me they're just the icing on the cake. Before we can expect an upward turn in support, we have to get the mixture of that cake right. Until then its pointless paying over the odds for top riders when the fans can't be bothered to come.

Pleased, at last you have come on here to explain the truth about the rule changes made in the Draft Lists. What a pity, this could not have been done back in May when it was first devised instead of treating the fans with such contempt. If you felt that strong about it, you should have spoken up anyway, regardless of the BSPA's opinion, after all it was your neck on the line. I, was probably wrong in my damning of your character, but that what comes when you excepted the position of the scapegoat. Had we been made aware of the true facts your integrity would have remained in tack throughout.... I therefore apologise for any adverse comments I made...............

The are many reasons why the crowds are poor, Costs; VFM; Crap track; Poor racing, Rule bending, Bad organisation, Pissed of with guests; Long drawn out meetings, No atmosphere, need I go on........... Obviously you are entitled to your opinion, but I find it rather contradictory. You say the way forward is to have less meetings and stronger teams. How will that help in persuading new supporters to come and watch. The only people that would benefit is the riders. I think they are taking enough as it is. Surely the way forward is to address some of the issues mentioned above and have regular race meetings. Only then will you be able to entice the old fans back and new ones to come along........

Its not about the strength of a team, it's about the strength of the product. The teams now are not much different, but the PL product is far better. There's more Clubs, there's more Riders, there's more Meetings. and more Competitions. Most tracks race weekly and that has to be more sellable than that of the Elite league. I'm like you mate, A diehard fan who just enjoys watching bikes and cars racing about, the smell, the escape of normality, being in my own little world. It doesn't matter to me who wins, just able to watch whenever is enough for me. If I was to take on board all the problems of the sport, I'd been gone years ago.

If the product was right, all the old fans would be the first to return. But it has to be affordable, it has to be promotable. and putting on a good show, all those points mentioned in SCB post (101) are all relevant. As much as I enjoy watching top riders, they are not the be-all of a good meeting. There are not enough class riders competing on our tracks now to warrant the importance they are given. Years ago when all teams tracked 3 or 4 class riders it was different, Now you're lucky to have one per team. Priced way over the top, the supporters are being ripped off when the teams have to share riders because there ain't enough to go round. Teams are now made up of Double Uppers, Premier League Stars, Guests and FTR's . and one wonders why the crowds are staying away..........

Top name riders wont and don't attract new fans, they only appeal to old supporters who know who these ridersare. Close, Exciting racing, and fun presentations is what will attract new supporters, at a cost they and the promotions can afford. What's the point of paying top wack for riders who Joe Blogs in the street, has never heard of. regardless of how good he is....

I'm at a lost to know whats important anymore, Each day it becomes more obvious we cannot afford to pay the astronomical fees the top riders want. The crowd numbers are saying this load and clear. For the Elite league to stand any chance of survival we have to dictate the terms we can afford. If it means saying goodbye to riders like Woffy and Ward, then so be it....

What's the point of being on the inside, if all your good for, is taking the can when things go pear shape. To everyone in the outside world, Phil Morris has lost all his integrity and everything he stood for. And you think being on the inside is worth that ?????? If he was any man at all he would stand up for his beliefs. Why do you think the sport is in the state it's in, ?????

Following on from what I posted (1244) about Buster, I believe he tries to do it right. Yes, he owns the stadium, and continues to improve it. at a extra cost of his promotions. He has done tremendously well acquiring lots of local sponsors which all helps to provide the realism of speedway entertainment. But the point I'm trying to make is , a lot of those sponsors, do so solely, because of Buster and this business interests and not because they have any interest in Speedway in particular. Probably if speedway was run on a more Professional Business level, than probably more Companies would come on board to sponsor the sport itself........

Good post, Another man with my thoughts exactly............ I appreciate your comments, but its the promoters who make all the decisions, the good ones and the bad. They should realise the situation more than any other and do something about it. While they keep bowing to the the demands of the top riders nothing will change.

It is wrong to compare a 'Once in a lifetime Occasion' to that of a regular speedway event. When England ran the Olympics, people were paying silly money just to attain and no doubt the Wold Cup Rugby is the same. The point I was trying to make, everybody can't afford a £15k Focus, but could probably stretch to a KA or a Fiesta. The biggest problem in speedway it that the machines have become too expensive to race and hence the riders require more money to compete. Just imagine for a moment if the cost of the bikes increased 25%, would the fans be expected to foot the additional bill. Where does it stop? When do you draw a line and say enough????..... I hate to imagine the costs involved with top riders competing in 4 countries. They would have too include, say 10 bikes, 4 mechanics, 2 or 3 vehicles, a tanker of fuel, 5 nights a week in hotels, Flights every other day, the costs must be horrendous. I say good luck to them for what they do. but please don't think they do this for the good of the sport, they do this purely to milk more from the sport... Now lets think about Joe Blogs', the typical supporter who wants to go and watch speedway at his home track. Is it right that he should be charged over the odds to finance those top riders expenses, or better still, guests when some riders fail to appear. All he wants to see is the excitement of four men racing round the track.? So if we go back to the cars, the fans don't need or expect to see Ford Focus's races around, They can get the same excitement by watching Fiestas doing the same thing . at a price everyone can afford.....

I find all this quite alarming, that this FTR scheme, something of such paramount importance, was not fully sorted out and published before it was implemented.. Sure there where bound to be niggly problems to sort out, but this should, by now, be all sorted and dusted and everybody knowing what was going on. But apparently not ........ I'm of the impression the whole scheme was devised at a minutes notice, purely as a cost saving exercise for the promoters and had little or no intention of structuring a way forward to help develop the younger riders. I hope I'm wrong, but the whole scenario doesn't fill me with much optimism. Again the secrecy from the governing powers is alarming. . It's times like this I think the BSPA must be some of the inept people ever to run a sport. Don't they realise, us fans are on their side. For them to stand any chance of survival, they need us, big time....

Definitely over the limit. Nice try though..............

I have the utmost respect for Buster, our promoter, who works tirelessly to make speedway at Lynn a success. Over the years he has progressed with work and improvements to make the stadium more appealing. He has a reliable fans base who will supports whatever., But not knowing any facts or figures, it is obvious, to a layman, the crowds numbers are not enough on there own to make it a viable business. The books have to be balanced up with many sponsorship deals . If that assessment is correct, than the facts are indeed sad, and it is little wonder clubs are closing down. The real issue here is the lack of 'Bums on Seats' If the sport is surviving on sponsorship alone, It won't be long before those sponsors will decide enough is enough, and more clubs will follow suit. The powers need to realise that speedway is a £10 sport and not £15. The fans want excitement, close racing and happy times. at a price they can afford. Top names are good but not that important as the sport itself.........nor at a cost that most cant afford to pay......

When I referred to age, I was thinking in terms of how long they have been in the sport rather than years old. The two Lamberts are of prime example. Robert is new and like a breath of fresh air, tailor made for the FTS, whereas Simon has been around for quite a while and in my thinking will never get much better than is currently is. To promote Simon into the FTS is a waste of time. Riders like Rose, who started in Moto-Cross and relatively new to speedway is ideal. These are the riders the scheme should look to help........

Have no problems with anything you say, and agree with most. I feel the team positions have to be governed in that the Heat leader need to be placed in order of ability and also the FTR be the same with the top rider at 6. When I wrote in my earlier post, I didn't make my thoughts that clear with the FTR racing against heat leaders. My meaning was to suggest that in ONE of their 4 rides, the top FTR man had the opportunity to race against the lesser of the opposing heat leaders......Thus given them the opportunity to test themselves against better opposition.. Obviously most of the second stage FTR rider would have been well off the pace, but riders like Newman and Kerr would have more then up for the challenge......